2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

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HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor August 27, 2002 THE DONALD AND THE BIG M We’re not sure what an “interactive racing park” is, but that’s what the Associated Press says Donald Trump wants to build at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. We presume it may be carnival rides under a new-era name, but the AP says Trump also is working with International Speedway Corporation, the development arm of NASCAR, to build a speedway on the Sports Complex grounds. The “interactive park” would be NASCAR’s version of Disneyland, according to the story, which also said International Speedway’s plans for an auto track around the Meadowlands has been on hold because the company and the state of New Jersey have been unable to agree on who would foot the bill for the $400 million project. Enter The Donald. BALMORAL NIPS A PLOT Balmoral Park, south of Chicago, has held up on posting final results of last Saturday’s $50,000 handicapping contest in the belief that the winner and fourth place finisher may have tried to rig the contest. Track president John Johnston says, “A couple of people who were in previous contests thought they could beat the system with fancy paperwork.” According to the Chicago Tribune, the plotters entered bets on color-coded sheets of paper that were numbered for each player. If a player’s win or exacta bet was successful, the dollar value was converted to points for the standings, with a top prize of $15,000. Fourth place was worth $1,500. Johnston says the suspected cheaters picked up their entry packets at 6 p.m., left the track to make photocopies, and then returned to the track. While the contest was in progress, it was discovered that there were more ballots used on a race than there were contestants. Johnston said the cheaters apparently assumed track officials would not look at the losing bets, and said charges will be brought if evidence warrants. MORE INSURANCE WOES HTA has received reports of member track’s starters having difficulty obtaining liability insurance coverage for their mobile starting gates. If your starter has the problem, or if he has successfully obtained coverage, please let the HTA office know at once. In another insurance development, the Blood- Horse reports that a new captive insurance program, similar to HTA’s long-standing company, hopefully will ease the serious workers’ compensation insurance woes in California racing. Trainers there have seen huge premium increases in state coverage, and a new program has been put together that may provide an alternative. It was hoped the program might be available Sept. 1, but Ed Halpern, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers said “factors within the insurance industry changed that,” and said the group now was not sure when it would have a deal. In an understatement, Halpern said the success of the program is dependent on “banding an industry together that doesn’t usually band together.” The insurance man trying to put the program into effect said, “We’re using the power of the group policing itself for the good of everybody. It’s a lot like driver’s insurance. You keep a clean record and your rates will drop. The guys with bad records, it’s like any other business. Eventually, they won’t be able to stay in business because it will be too expensive for them. Their owners will go elsewhere.” The example is fine, except it doesn’t always work quite that way. In the case of harness racing starters, their loss experience is exemplary, with very few incidents or problems. Still, some are receiving non-renewals and are unable to find coverage. HTA is working on the problem, and we will appreciate input.
HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICA Executive Newsletter A daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyond August 28, 2002 Stanley F. Bergstein, Editor CASE WINS 9 AT NORTHFIELD Walter Case Jr., warming up for his Battle of the Best against Herve Filion at Northfield Park Friday and Saturday nights, won nine races Monday night at Northfield, the fourth time he has accomplished that remarkable feat, and only one short of his record ten victories on one card at the same track on May 26 three years ago. Case now has won 10,586 races, and Filion 14,813. Case has been red hot, winning 27 races since last Friday, 22 of them at Northfield and a five-victory night at Raceway Park in Toledo. Case and Filion also have dominated HTA’s Driver of the Year honor, Filion winning it 10 times and Case 3 times, accounting for 38% of the sport’s most prestigious driving award since its inception in 1968. A WINNER BEFORE IT STARTS The Harness Tracks of America equine art auction is still a month away, but one of the top artists in the competition -- David Pavlak of Ohio -- is a winner already. Pavlak, who had four paintings accepted for this year’s show and sale, has been commissioned by the Red Mile to do an oil painting of this year’s winner of the historic Kentucky Futurity. Pavlak, a former trainer and breeder, has been one of the most popular artists in HTA’s annual competition. MIXED SIGNALS IN VEGAS With everything now measured from 9-11 , the big boys of Las Vegas are giving mixed reviews on recovery. MGM Mirage, bouncing back strongly, says it will move ahead with its planned $375 million, 925-room tower expansion of the Bellagio, with construction to start in mid-2003 and completion scheduled for December, 2004. Mandalay Bay, however, says it is holding up on its construction of a new Strip megaresort, citing a 3.9% decline in second quarter earnings and blaming it in part on a summer room-rate war in Las Vegas. JACKSON NEXT TO CHAIR RCI William E. Jackson, a member of the Illinois Racing Board and current secretary-treasurer of Racing Commissioners International, has been named to fill the role of chairman of the association next April. Basil Plasteras of New Jersey, who died August 1, had been chair-elect of the organization, and Jackson was named to replace him yesterday at the RCI’s summer board meeting. Frank Zanzucci, executive director of the New Jersey racing commission, was elected to replace Jackson as secretary-treasurer. DEATHS IN THE RACING FAMILY Doris Scherf, mother of Thoroughbred Racing Associations executive vice president Chris Scherf, passed away Monday. A funeral mass will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Catonsville, MD. In Florida, Michael J. Perry Jr., a harness owner for 20 years and past president of the Florida chapter of U.S. Harness Writers, died at 63. A former basketball coach, he coached the Swedish national team to the Olympics in 1980 and recruited 7’4” Rik Smits from the Netherlands for Marist College. Smits later played for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. HTA extends its sympathy to Chris and to Mike’s family. THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN OHIO Remember when the lottery was a pocket change investment? It isn’t any longer. The Ohio Lottery, in the true spirit of the high religious holidays, has decided to roll out a new game in October called ‘Tis a Winning Season. Prizes will range from a guaranteed minimum of $5 to a 1-in- 66,667 chance of winning one of 15 top prizes of $20,000. Tickets will cost $20. Merry Christmas!
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2002 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

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